Knee replacement suitable for over-80s

A study by researchers at Singapore General Hospital found that elderly patients can achieve an improved quality of life thanks to the procedure, in which the damaged bone and cartilage is replaced with an artificial joint.

The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and suggest that knee replacement surgery can provide both physical and social benefits for patients in their 80s.

Lead author Dr Edsel Arandia, who is an orthopaedic surgeon at Philippine Orthopaedic centre and a fellow at Singapore General Hospital, commented: "As patients are living longer, there is an upward trend in the demand for quality of life among the elderly population.

"Overall, total knee arthroplasty in elderly patients resulted in significant gains in their quality of life, which was reflected in both health and social-related quality of life score dimensions."